Distinguished Alumni: Scott Murakami (Sheet Metal 1986)
A proud supporter of several local organizations and initiatives, Scott Murakami has used his standing to help build major projects in Lethbridge and southern Alberta while teaching and inspiring the next generation of local trades professionals.
Scott joined KB Heating and Air Conditioning in 1990 as a residential installer and had several roles and responsibilities over the following years, working his way up to general manager and, in 2014, managing partner. Scott has been instrumental in helping the business grow from its foundation of residential heating and air conditioning to include commercial and industrial customers, such as the ENMAX Centre, ATB Centre, Red Crow College and Lethbridge College, among others.
Scott has fond memories of his time at the college and makes an effort to support the trades programs in any way possible. Not only does KB Heating and Air Conditioning employ several grads, but Scott – through his partnership with Keith Broadbent and Greg Broadbent – has given generously in support of college fundraising initiatives, student awards, capital campaigns and more. He’s also keen to support the development of the future trades workforce and places a high value on mentoring and teaching youth about the opportunities available in the industry. Because of Scott’s considerable career success, steadfast support of Lethbridge College, and immense service to his community, he has been named this year’s Distinguished Alumni.
Career Virtuoso: Mike McCready (Multimedia Production 1999)
For Mike McCready, the college’s Multimedia Production program unleashed both his love of learning and an intense curiosity to explore technology. In the years since, he’s broken new ground in virtual and augmented reality for a tech-interested audience around the world.
After graduation, Mike went on to earn a Bachelor of Professional Arts – Communications Studies from Athabasca University. He returned to the college to work in 2008, where he eventually was named the college’s first social media strategist, and in 2015, he started teaching in the Multimedia Production program. Once again, he was able to apply his love of learning and technology to create two more firsts for the college: teaching basic virtual reality (VR) game design; and helping to plan Merging Realities, the world’s first conference held in VR.
Mike was then asked to lead the college’s research activities related to VR and AR. Since his appointment, he has been able to help secure more than $3.5 million in grants and partnerships and help establish the Spatial Technologies Applied Research and Training (START) Centre. His thirst for knowledge and exploration of new technologies continues to thrive and led Mike to pursue a research master’s degree in VR from the University of Kent. While the Career Virtuoso Award recognizes Mike’s already significant contributions to the field, it seems likely his passion for this work will continue to drive even more accomplishments.
Community Leader: Wayne Elsbett (Criminal Justice – Policing 2021)
If there’s a genetic sequence that generates a volunteer spirit, you’ll find it in Wayne Elsbett’s DNA. It’s a value he learned early on from his parents and his rural southern Alberta upbringing. He’s volunteered in a wide range of roles including more than two decades in volunteer fire services. You could find him supporting community event planning, Rural Crime Watch, Safe Communities committee, coaching youth soccer, mentoring in 4-H clubs, working with elderly people dealing with mental health and mobility issues, and offering personal care support. He also owns and operates Palliser Triangle Service in Duchess, Alta.
Wayne graduated with honours from Lethbridge College’s Criminal Justice – Policing program in 2021. He found courses dealing with mental health, crisis intervention and conflict resolution especially intriguing and he committed to keep learning about mental health and the effects in our communities.
He completed additional courses, including Before Operational Stress (BOS) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) certificates. He makes himself available to anyone who needs someone to actively listen non-judgmentally to concerns and he offers guidance to more resources as needed. He works to create a mentally sound community in which everyone can feel welcome and heard.
For his professionalism, perseverance and devotion to an inclusive community, Wayne has been recognized with a Community Leader Award.
Rising Star: Jared Garrick (Business Administration – Marketing 2013)
As Lethbridge College’s Rising Star Award winner, Jared Garrick serves as an example of the value of pursuing your passions. Jared parlayed entrepreneurial knowledge and skills into a business that merges his creativity and his construction skills to create one-of-a-kind public and private spaces. He owns and operates Rovü, a Lethbridge company that offers commercial and residential renovations, general contracting, interior and architectural design, and public art.
The business is unique and award-winning, making its mark in the most visual ways. Public art installations include Lethbridge’s “Together” sculpture on Fifth Street South, a series of interlocking colourful chairs that symbolize community and resulted from Rovü’s collaboration with Toronto-based Punch Clock Metals and a pair of Canadian artists. For CBC, he created larger-than-life, functional headphones that will be featured around Calgary, and were displayed along the red carpet of the 2023 Juno Awards in Edmonton. Working with artist Brendan Browne, Rovü has produced thousands of square feet of murals across southern Alberta in addition to creating Casa’s first spray-paint class.
Jared’s work builds community, not only through structures, but through connections with people. His successful fusion of art and construction will soon see him expand into a retail décor store and a documentary series, among other creative pursuits in southern Alberta and beyond. With so much on the horizon, it’s clear to see why Jared is this year’s Rising Star award recipient.
